There are two types of moth bags (moths sachets):
- Moth bags for wardrobes
- Moth bags for drawers
We recommend the moth sachets shown further down on this page because they are:
- Effective against moths
- Safe for health
- Environmentally friendly
Below, you can read about when to use the different types of moth bags.
Moth Bags for Wardrobes
If you discover small holes in your clothes or moth cocoons on your garments in your wardrobes, these are clear signs that indian meal moths or brown house moths are present. In such cases, you should hang moth bagsin all your wardrobes.
The moth bags should only be hung in wardrobes containing clothes or other textiles such as yarn, woolen clothing, curtains, bedding, linens, etc. It is recommended to hang 1-3 bags per wardrobe, depending on the size of the wardrobes, and potentially add extra bags in wardrobes where moths have already been detected.
Moth Sachets for Drawers
You should use moth sachets in all clothing drawers if you suspect that there are moths attacking clothes and textiles—thismeans if you have found small holes in your clothing or moth cocoons on your clothes. Sometimes, both cocoons and larvae can also be seen in the corners or edges of drawers.
The sachets should only be placed in drawers containing clothes or other textiles. Typically, 1 sachet per drawer is sufficient, but if the drawers are very large, you should place 2 sachets in each drawer (placing them as far apart as possible in the same drawer).
Note that there are three different varieties of moth sachets:
- Classic
- Cedar
- Lavender
All three variants are equally effective, so it mainly depends on your scent preference. However, lavender is without a doubt the most popular.
The moth sachets contain various blends of herbs that have a repellent effect on moths.
Optimal Use
As briefly mentioned above, the general rule is to place one moth sachet per wardrobe or drawer. However, in very large wardrobes, it may be necessary to place up to three sachets, and in very large drawers, up to two sachets.
The mini sachets shown above can be used in both small and large drawers and generally provide adequate protection in small or average-sized drawers.
In larger wardrobes and drawers where it is necessary to use more than one sachet, the moth sachets should be placed as far apart as possible.
Effectiveness of Moth Bags
One might naturally question the effectiveness of moth bags and whether they actually work.
The short answer is that they do work, but only in combination with active moth control—meaning you must ensure to kill all larvae, eggs, and adult moths if you're dealing with an infestation. This is done by washing, cleaning, freezing, or heating all infested textiles, as well as any textiles stored near the infested ones.
The first step is to identify which type of moth you are dealing with and then follow the specific instructions for controlling either Indian meal moths or brown house moths.
In other words, moth bags are just one part of moth control and should not be relied on as the sole solution. However, they are a highly effective means of preventing future moth infestations and should always be used if you have (or have had) moth problems.
How Long Does a Moth Bags Last?
After opening, a moth sachet typically remains effective for about six months (this also applies to the bags from Colibri, as seen on this page). After this period, the sachets should be replaced to avoid future moth infestations.
Alternatives
There are also so-called moth hangers, which can be hung in wardrobes or placed in drawers. However, moth hangers come with several issues: firstly, they are only effective if the wardrobes or drawers are completely sealed (which is rarely the case). Secondly, they are outright toxic, and little is known about their impact on health or the environment. Therefore, we do not consider moth hangers to be suitable alternatives to moth bags.
Additionally, there are general recommendations for storing clothes and textiles that should be followed (store all natural fiber textiles in tightly sealed plastic or paper bags—especially clothes and textiles that are rarely used). However, this is not a real alternative to moth bags but more of a guideline to help prevent moths.
If you ensure proper storage of your clothes and textiles while also using moth bags, you significantly reduce the likelihood of future moth infestations. This combination is therefore the most optimal in most cases.
Lastly, there are also moth traps, which are a good supplement to moth bags. We recommend this Clothes Moth Trap: